LLawmakers awaits subpoena to inquire Vice President Sara Duterte’s confidential funds report in the Commission on Audit (COA).
During the budget briefing of COA, House Deputy Minority Leader of ACT Teacher’s Party-list Representativd France Castro motions a request to the COA to present any Audit Observation Memorandum (AOM), despite being declined by the COA Chairperson Gamaliel Asis Cordoba for its confidential nature.
“Hindi po pwedeng sabihin dito yung findings, yun report, o yung ano mang observation ng COA, ang mga taong bayan po ang interesado dito sa mga condidential funds at kung paano ito ginamit, kung ito po ba ay sumunod duon sa guid lines, yung joint guidelines,” Castro reasoned during the briefing.
“May I therefore move Madam chair, to subpoena duces tecum be issued to COA for this AOMs or any notice of this allowance or suspension issued to the office of Vice President and to the office of the Department of Education,” she added.
The request includes reports on the use of funds in 2022 and 2023 where the OVP and DepEd received and spent 125 million pesos in 2022 and 500 million pesos in 2023 on the Vice President’s discretion.
In which both years was not included in the General Appropriations Act respectively.
A number of congressman supported Castro’s motions for subpoena including the Manila Rep. Joel Chua, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan party list Rep. Raoul Manuel.
“I support the motion of congresswoman stating and citing the same COA, Memorandum circular,” Chua second the motion.
The House Committee of Appropriations strengthens the request for subpoena.
Based on Cordoba, the subpoena will take time to be issued as they have to conduct further review on the request that will be issued by the Committee of Appropriations.